What ideas you have for a booklight?

kland1234 · Aug 6, 2008

I am looking for a good idea for a booklight for my wife to use to read in bed at night. She has gone through all kind of cheapie book lights, and they just don't hold up well. All my nice flashlights, even on low-low settings are too focused. I guess I don't know what lumens are needed, but 2-5 maybe, and a floody well dispersed beam? Any thoughts or ideas?

Thanks

jefft · Aug 6, 2008

I've used my Zebralight Q50 and it works well as it is all flood. I just clip it to the front of my T-shirt when I'm reading in bed and don't want to disturb the wife. I think the low setting is about 2.5 lumens.

Lynx_Arc · Aug 6, 2008

I used an energizer 2 white/1 red LED headlamp to read with works pretty good on the head you can move the spot around to read.

Flying Turtle · Aug 6, 2008

Another vote for the Zebralight. Works great as a booklight.

Geoff

roymail · Aug 6, 2008

SMJLED PR bulb in a cheap ROV or EverReady 2AA host. Then put a couple of strips of frosted scotch tape over the lens.

The floody output should be good for reading and last and last and last for a real long time. It won't cost much to give it a try.

metlarules · Aug 7, 2008

I use an Inova x5 for nighttime reading. It works really well. I just put it on top of the headboard and read myself to sleep.Nice even beam and runs along time on batteries.

glockboy · Aug 7, 2008

Zebralight.:thumbsup:

TorchBoy · Aug 7, 2008

I'm thinking of making a headlamp from a $2.80 donor body with no reflector on the Cree. (The one I made with a reflector is fantastic, but not quite ideal for reading.) Total cost just over $9, but arguably not as pretty as a Zebralight.

brucec · Aug 7, 2008

To tell you the truth, I don't think you need a flashlight to read in bed. It's not a very demanding lighting task. A nightstand lamp is much easier on the eyes and more convenient. If you must have LEDs, then a wall mounted adjustable light on the wall or headboard is good. Kind of like the ones you see at hotels.

TorchBoy · Aug 7, 2008

But a wall mounted adjustable light on the wall wouldn't allow you to read under the covers! :naughty:

amandaiec · Aug 7, 2008

Is this nice for you?

TorchBoy · Aug 7, 2008

amandaiec said:
Is this nice for you?

That's, um... never mind. I don't think I'd be able to use it in bed with a straight face.

kland1234 · Aug 7, 2008

Thanks for the ideas guys, I have a zebra q50, not sure I want to give it up for reading

, but I think even on low it will be too bright, but will try it. I think a donorfrankenlight may be worth a try, that is a good idea and I will try to make a frankenmule! Will let you know.

thks again
kbb

Pistolero · Aug 7, 2008

I always wanted to build/mockup something like this.
http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/lights/5cf2/
http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/lights/7972/

While the headlamp (zebralight) would work, I was also looking for one that my wife could use while I'm driving at night. Maybe a generic headlamp with a red LED would work.

brucec · Aug 7, 2008

Night vision?

Lee1959 · Aug 7, 2008

A headlamp works the best I have found for reading in the dark. I use a Brinkman 2 white led and one red led unit. A one LED headlamp, low powered 5 MM LED not some high powered led would be perfect. You want low and not too bright which reflects off the page, or keeps the sleeping partner, meaning you, awake.

A headlamp shines right where you look, much better than something attached to clothing, the bed, or the book which you have ot readjust every time you move a bit.

Flying Turtle · Aug 7, 2008

You are right, kland1234, about the Z light being too bright even on low. That's why I cut a piece of thin orange/red plastic to go underneath the glare shield. It reduces the output enough and makes the glow more comfortable for the eyes.

Geoff

StarHalo · Aug 7, 2008

I use a Jetbeam JET II IBS; One of its unique features is the removable head/reflector assembly, so the light basically becomes a Mule. On the lowest 2 lumen setting, this provides a perfectly smooth and even source of reading light that won't wake anyone else in the room. Plus with the head removed, the entire light is shorter than a Fenix P1D. Very handy :thumbsup:

Chrontius · Aug 7, 2008

Let me be the second to suggest a production Lightwedge would be perfect.

Noxonomus · Aug 8, 2008

for reading I really like the light produced by my Mighty Bright http://www.mightybright.com/ I think that mine is the XtraFlex Super LED Book Light although when I got it it may have been the only one they made. Its a single LED behind a little plastic lens that give a 90 degree circle of light that is perfectly smooth. Unfortunately the clip isn't great for clipping to books (workable but slightly annoying) so I would probably look at one of their other lights. When they say no hot spots they mean it.

What ideas you have for a booklight?

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